Using Q Methodology to explore risk perception and public concern about tree pests and diseases: The case of Ash dieback

Julie Urquhart, Clive Potter, Julie Barnett, John Fellenor, John Mumford, Christopher P. Quine

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

8 Citations (SciVal)

Abstract

This paper seeks to address the need for a more nuanced understanding of public perceptions of risk-related events by investigating the nature of and drivers for a 'concerned public' to an environmental issue, using the case study of the ash dieback outbreak in the UK. Q Methodology, an approach that combines both quantitative and qualitative data through factor analysis to identify different ways of thinking about a particular issue, was used to investigate the subjective response of local publics to ash dieback in East Kent, England, one of the early outbreak locations. Five narratives are identified, distinguishing perceptions of risk and management preferences: (1) call for better biosecurity; (2) resilient nature and techno-scientific solutions; (3) fatalistic; (4) disinterested; and (5) pro-active citizens. Four narratives demonstrated concern about the impacts of ash dieback on woodland ecosystems, but beliefs about whether the disease arrived in the UK on infected imported nursery stock or on windblown spores varied. The results of this study contribute to improving understanding of the drivers of differing public perceptions of tree health risks, an important consideration for designing socially acceptable strategies for managing tree pests and diseases, and other environmental risks, in the future.

Original languageEnglish
Article number761
JournalForests
Volume10
Issue number9
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 3 Sept 2019

Funding

The authors would like to thank the participants who generously gave up their time to take part in this study.This research was produced as part of the UNPICK (Understanding public risk in relation to tree health) project funded jointly by a grant from BBSRC, Defra, ESRC, the Forestry Commission, NERC and the Scottish Government, under the Tree Health and Plant Biosecurity Initiative (grant number BB/L012308/1).

Keywords

  • Ash dieback
  • Policy
  • Public concern
  • Q Methodology
  • Risk communication
  • Tree pests and diseases

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Forestry

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